The United States government has announced a new policy that could see up to 25 million naturalised immigrants lose their citizenship, including Nigerians and other nationals, if found to have obtained it through fraud or misrepresentation.
A memo issued on June 11 by the U.S. Department of Justice outlines a renewed focus on civil denaturalisation—a legal process through which citizenship granted to immigrants can be revoked.
The policy targets individuals who may have concealed crucial information or lied during their naturalisation process.
The memo specifies 10 broad categories of individuals who could face denaturalisation. These include those linked to war crimes, gross human rights violations, gang-related activities, or those who submitted false information in their immigration or benefit applications.
“Civil denaturalisation proceedings may be brought against individuals who either illegally procured naturalisation or did so by concealing material facts or willfully misrepresenting information,” the memo stated.
Unlike criminal cases, civil denaturalisation does not guarantee the right to an attorney, and the government’s burden of proof is significantly lower.
The Department of Justice highlighted that this effort is not just about punishing past misconduct but also about protecting national security and maintaining the integrity of the U.S. naturalisation process.
“The benefits of civil denaturalization include the ability to revoke citizenship from individuals who engaged in war crimes, extrajudicial killings, or other serious human rights abuses; naturalized criminals, gang members, or individuals convicted of crimes who pose an ongoing threat to the United States; and convicted terrorists who may attempt to return to the U.S. or travel internationally using a U.S. passport,” the memo explained.
Though not targeted at any specific nationality, the new directive could affect a large number of immigrants globally, including those from Nigeria, one of the countries with a significant population of naturalised U.S. citizens.
The development has sparked concern among immigrant communities and human rights advocates, particularly due to the sweeping nature of the policy and the lack of legal protections in civil cases.
“It is kind of, in a way, trying to create a second class of US citizens,” said Sameera Hafiz, policy director of the Immigration Legal Resource Center, told the Guardian UK.
No specific timeline was given for enforcement, but legal analysts say it signals a tougher stance on immigration compliance in the United States.
